ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the efficacy of red clover to relieve hot flashes and menopausal symptoms in peri/postmenopausal women. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library) were searched. The mean frequency of hot flashes in red clover groups was lower compared with that in the control groups (close to statistical significance). Difference in means (MD) of hot flashes frequency was - 1.99 (- 4.12-0.139; p = 0.067; heterogeneity P > 0.01; I(2) = 94.93%; Random effect model). Subjective (vaginal dryness) and objective (maturation value) symptoms of vaginal atrophy showed a significant improvement with 80-mg dose of red clover. Red clover showed less therapeutic effect on psychology status, sexual problems and sleeping disorders. Red clover consumption may decrease frequency of hot flashes, especially in women with severe hot flashes (≥ 5 per day). Red clover may reduce other menopausal symptoms. Further trials are needed to confirm the current systematic review findings.
Subject(s)
Hot Flashes/drug therapy , Menopause , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Trifolium , Anxiety/drug therapy , Bone and Bones/drug effects , Depression/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/drug therapy , Sleep/drug effects , Vagina/drug effects , Vasomotor System/drug effectsABSTRACT
A cohort study was conducted in the Islamic Republic of Iran between January 1997 and February 1998 to compare the growth and morbidity of 100 infants who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and 100 who received breast milk and complementary foods between 4-6 months. Infants' feeding pattern, weight and height were assessed and recorded. There were no significant differences in infants' weight and height gain between 4 and 6 months. The rate of diarrhoea between ages 4 and 6 months was significantly lower in exclusively breastfed infants than in complementary food-fed infants (11% versus 27%) and respiratory infections were also lower (23% versus 35%). We conclude that exclusive breastfeeding is superior at least until an infant is 6 months of age.
Subject(s)
Bottle Feeding , Breast Feeding , Infant, Newborn/growth & development , Morbidity , Age Factors , Birth Weight , Body Height , Body Weight , Bottle Feeding/adverse effects , Bottle Feeding/statistics & numerical data , Breast Feeding/adverse effects , Breast Feeding/statistics & numerical data , Cohort Studies , Diarrhea, Infantile/epidemiology , Diarrhea, Infantile/etiology , Diarrhea, Infantile/prevention & control , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant , Iran/epidemiology , Male , Mothers/education , Mothers/psychology , Prenatal Care/statistics & numerical data , Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/etiology , Respiratory Tract Infections/prevention & control , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Health/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
A cohort study was conducted in the Islamic Republic of Iran between January 1997 and February 1998 to compare the growth and morbidity of 100 infants who were exclusively breastfed for 6 months and 100 who received breast milk and complementary foods between 4-6 months. Infants' feeding pattern, weight and height were assessed and recorded. There were no significant differences in infants' weight and height gain between 4 and 6 months. The rate of diarrhoea between ages 4 and 6 months was significantly lower in exclusively breastfed infants than in complementary food-fed infants [11% versus 27%] and respiratory infections were also lower [23% versus 35%]. We conclude that exclusive breastfeeding is superior at least until an infant is 6 months of age
Subject(s)
Age Factors , Birth Weight , Body Height , Body Weight , Breast Feeding , Cohort Studies , Diarrhea, Infantile , Gestational Age , Infant FoodABSTRACT
Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) is recognized as an effective means of screening for poor nutritional status in adults. The efficacy of calf circumference (CC) as a screening tool, however, is not well reported. We studied 2000 healthy women (age range: 15-49 years) in Mashed, Islamic Republic of Iran, to assess anthropometric measurements at reproductive age and the usefulness of MUAC and CC for estimating body mass index (BMI) and screening of women at nutritional risk. We found a strong correlation between MUAC and CC with weight and BMI, suggesting that MUAC and CC can be used to estimate BMI and detect nutritional disorders.
Subject(s)
Anthropometry/methods , Arm/anatomy & histology , Leg/anatomy & histology , Nutritional Status , Reproduction , Women's Health , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Body Height , Body Mass Index , Body Weight , Female , Humans , Iran , Mass Screening/methods , Middle Aged , Nutrition Assessment , Nutrition Disorders/diagnosis , Nutrition Surveys , Reference Values , Regression Analysis , Risk Factors , Urban HealthABSTRACT
Mid upper arm circumference [MUAC] is recognized as an effective means of screening for poor nutritional status in adults. The efficacy of calf circumference [CC] as a screening tool, however, is not well reported. We studied 2000 healthy women [age range: 15-49 years] in Mashed, Islamic Republic of Iran, to assess anthropometric measurements at reproductive age and the usefulness of MUAC and CC for estimating body mass index [BMI] and screening of women at nutritional risk. We found a strong correlation between MUAC and CC with weight and BMI, suggesting that MUAC and CC can be used to estimate BMI and detect nutritional disorders
